Posted 2014-11-04 4:56 PM (#161392) Subject: Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
Member
Posts: 10
Location: NW PA
I'm in the process of buying my first gooseneck horse trailer. My husband and I found one that meets all our criteria, and our budget, but with one problem... It doesn't have a title. In PA they have to have a title, so how do I get one? CAN I get one? The current owner said I would be provided with a BOS and registration paperwork. I've heard that I can take it to a junk yard and get it registered as salvage, giving me a legal title. Is that true? This trailer is located out of state if that makes any difference. Thanks!
Posted 2014-11-05 9:12 AM (#161400 - in reply to #161392) Subject: RE: Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
"Get copies of what the seller will give you and go to your dmv....they are the ones with the correct information." Ditto this info. In PA, a trailer without a title is worthless, you can't register it. A title and bill of sale is necessary, for prepaying the sales tax based on the sale's price. You have to prove that the last seller was the owner, and that he had the trailer properly registered whilst it was in his possession. With no access to a title, you will have an unusable chunk of metal.
Posted 2014-11-05 2:50 PM (#161404 - in reply to #161392) Subject: RE: Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by OnABudget on 2014-11-04 4:56 PM
I'm in the process of buying my first gooseneck horse trailer. My husband and I found one that meets all our criteria, and our budget, but with one problem... It doesn't have a title. In PA they have to have a title, so how do I get one? CAN I get one? The current owner said I would be provided with a BOS and registration paperwork. I've heard that I can take it to a junk yard and get it registered as salvage, giving me a legal title. Is that true? This trailer is located out of state if that makes any difference. Thanks!
Posted 2014-11-05 10:22 PM (#161407 - in reply to #161404) Subject: RE: Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
Member
Posts: 10
Location: NW PA
gard, I was hoping you'd reply, all your posts are so knowledgeable! I know that if I can't get a title for it that it will be worthless, hence why I haven't made an offer on it yet.. and why I posted here. I was just seeing if there was anyone in PA who's had experience getting a title issued. I have lots of calls to make tomorrow!Paul, It's in Michigan.
Posted 2014-11-06 12:11 AM (#161408 - in reply to #161407) Subject: RE: Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by OnABudget on 2014-11-05 10:22 PM
gard, I was hoping you'd reply, all your posts are so knowledgeable! I know that if I can't get a title for it that it will be worthless, hence why I haven't made an offer on it yet.. and why I posted here. I was just seeing if there was anyone in PA who's had experience getting a title issued. I have lots of calls to make tomorrow!Paul, It's in Michigan.
Posted 2014-11-06 11:04 PM (#161434 - in reply to #161392) Subject: RE: Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
"Michigan requires titles for trailers weighing more that 2500 lbs." Yes it does. One of our trailers came from MI, and we had the MI title for it, signed over and notarised before we left for home. Without it, our PA registration would not have happened. The title also has to be cleared of any encumbrances before a change of ownership is allowed.
Posted 2014-11-07 3:46 PM (#161448 - in reply to #161437) Subject: RE: Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
Member
Posts: 10
Location: NW PA
Cin, no the trailer in question is not listed on craigslist. I always do an image search to see if the same pictures have been posted elsewhere on the internet to avoid scams.
Posted 2014-11-07 6:03 PM (#161451 - in reply to #161392) Subject: RE: Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Croswell MI
Ok sorry just trying to help...If you own a trailer in MI and lose your title you would ,as the owner go to the Sec.of State with your registration and get another title.We have lifetime plates.So if you don't sell your trailer you don't need to renew your plate.If you buy a new trailer you can't transfer your old plate you must get a new plate.If your trailer is over 2500#s you get a title back from the state?If the trailer is under that weight you just get a registration with your plate.I would hate to see you get taken.Good luck!
Posted 2014-11-08 11:41 AM (#161462 - in reply to #161451) Subject: RE: Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
Member
Posts: 10
Location: NW PA
Cin, didn't mean to come across as ungrateful, I appreciate you looking out and actually went ahead and searched the image again, I even scoured the CL ads just to be sure I didn't miss it after I read your first post. I'm just confused on what the "real story" is with this trailer. We aren't going to bother going to look at it, it seems like more hassle than it's worth. I'm still waiting to hear back from the Dept of Trans, and if they say I could get a title, I might just make a low-ball offer and see what they say.
Buying a title-less trailer in PA?
